Law professor files discrimination suit against William Mitchell

A St. Paul law professor is claiming William Mitchell College of Law and its dean discriminated against him because of his mental illness.

Minnesota Public Radio reports Peter Erlinder, a well-known professor and activist, filed a lawsuit in federal court that alleges he was banned from campus in 2012 because the college claimed he posed a threat to Dean Eric S. Janus.

"He brought certifications from two health care providers, his psychologist and psychiatrist that he’s capable of being a professor and he is not dangerous to anybody and never was,” Nickitas told the Star Tribune.

The college's attorneys responded to the lawsuit, describing Erlinder's behavior as “erratic, disruptive, and intimidating" and said the professor had sent unprofessional emails to fellow employees that threatened retaliation after he was escorted off campus, the Star Tribune reports.

The New York Times reported Erlinder visited in Rwanda to represent Victoire Ingabire, a leading opposition politician who was trying to run for president but was charged with supporting genocide ideology. Erlinder was also charged for allegedly denying the country's genocide, but was later released on bail.

Two former deans believe they were fired for complaining about misleading practices at the for-profit college. They allege the school paid commissions to recruiters and failed to provide enough training opportunities for students.